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James Conlon      

Award-Winning Symphonic/Operatic Conductor & Educator; Founder of the OREL Foundation; Recipient of Legion d’Honneur

Renowned conductor James Conlon has cultivated a vast symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire and is one of today's most versatile and respected conductors and educators. Conlon has spoken internationally about the power of creativity, the enduring importance of classical music, and leadership insights that resonate across industries. In addition to his roles in the United States, he has held significant positions as the Principal Conductor of the Paris Opera and General Music Director of the City of Cologne, Germany.

Since his 1974 debut with the New York Philharmonic, Conlon has conducted virtually every major American and European symphony orchestra. He is Music Director of LA Opera, with whom he has won four Grammy Awards and led more performances than any other conductor in the company’s history. He also serves as Artistic Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Advisor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. His tenure at the LA Opera since 2006 and his leadership roles reflect his deep commitment to the arts both locally and internationally.

Conlon is an enthusiastic advocate of the role music plays in our shared humanity and civic life. He has worked to call attention to the works of composers silenced by the Nazi regime, which led to the creation of The OREL Foundation and the Ziering-Conlon Initiative for Recovered Voices. His dedication to this cause is further exemplified in his TEDx Talk “Resurrecting Forbidden Music.” Conlon has received numerous accolades, including the Legion d’Honneur – France’s highest honor – personally bestowed by then-President Jacques Chirac in 2002. Additionally, his engagement in educational activities spans pre-performance lectures and master classes at institutions like LA Opera Connects and the Ravinia Festival.

Speech Topics

Leadership Lessons from a Conductor of Classical Music

As a conductor whose career has spanned over 50 years, James Conlon illuminates the profound leadership lessons that resonate in business, institutional, for-profit, and non-profit organizations. Conductors inspire, direct, listen and follow, lead and guide, simultaneously, all in the service of musical creativity. Mr. Conlon offers expert applications of these ideas to executives, co-workers, and companies navigating the future of a constantly changing world.

Building Unified Teams

In his role as a globally renowned conductor, James Conlon has led some of the most prestigious musical organizations in the world. Sharing stories of success (and failure) from more than 50 years of experience, Mr. Conlon offers insights about how to get a collective of highly diverse (and talented) individuals on the same page, to identify a common goal, and motivate the group to attain it.

Resurrecting Forbidden Music

Inspired by his impactful TEDx Talk on the subject, renowned conductor James Conlon shares the fascinating story of his work to resurrect the music that was forbidden by the Nazi regime. Jewish musicians and their music were repressed, and the effects are still with us today. Mr. Conlon’s personal journey started with a chance discovery on the radio and has expanded to broad efforts to bring a voluminous heritage of music to the public’s consciousness.

The Power of Creativity, For Everyone

In this riveting talk, renowned conductor James Conlon reveals the power of creativity – and how anyone can access this power in their work and life. Drawing on his internationally prestigious career in classical music, Mr. Conlon shares how any organization can adopt the successful strategies of a quality orchestra – to honor the great traditions of the past and innovate and embrace the future.

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